The Syrian Social Nationalist Party – Intifada Wing or Abd al-Masih Wing is a splinter group of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. [1]
The split had its roots in how George Abd al-Masih had utilized his post as SSNP chairman to order the assassination of Adnan al-Malki in April 1954, in order to settle a personal score and without consulting the party leadership. The killing of al-Malik brought upon SSNP a massive crack-down in Syria. [2] After his expulsion from SSNP in 1957, Abd al-Masih continued to operate his own faction. [3] [4] The Abd al-Masih wing remained a relatively small force. [3] Abd al-Masih still led the group as of the 1980s. [5]
The party traditionally did not contest elections in Lebanon. [6] During the civil uprising phase of the Syrian Civil War followers of the party participated in support of the Syrian government and the Syrian Arab Army. [7] As of 2018 the party is led by Dr. Ali Haidar, the incumbent Minister of Reconciliation in Syria. [6] Ali Haidar's SSNP supported the re-election of Bashar al-Assad. [8]